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Tuesday, May 03, 2011

QPR's "Rendezvous With Destiny" Arrives: The Seven Charges...Taarabt's QPR Future Not So Certain

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Alejandro Faurlín should have no blame attached to him in the Football Association investigation that could lead to Queens Park Rangers' missing out on promotion to the Premier League. That is the message the Argentinian midfielder at the centre of the inquiry has received from his QPR team-mate Adel Taarabt.

"The first few days he was a little bit worried because he may have thought the lads would blame him, but we told him it is not your fault," Taarabt said of Faurlín ahead of the FA disciplinary hearing beginning on Tuesday into charges arising from his 2009 transfer to west London. "He has been brilliant all season and you can't deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well. We have done the job on the pitch so we deserve to be where we are. Every game we play 11 against 11 and we win games on the pitch; we don't do anything else. We didn't cheat or do anything wrong. I don't know what is happening upstairs but the FA will make the decision and we will see."

It is common practice for South American players' registrations to belong to agents or investment companies rather than their clubs; however in this country such arrangements breach FA and Premier League rules. The Guardian reported in March that in the Faurlín case Instituto de Córdoba, his former club, received nothing from the transfer. The FA refused to comment about any element of the affair on Monday. However the case has led to seven charges being levelled against QPR and their chairman, Gianni Paladini, which will be considered by a three-man disciplinary commission led by an independent QC this week.

QPR and Paladini could not be contacted on Monday but have consistently denied wrongdoing. As well as three charges relating to the third-party contracts, QPR face more of bringing the game into disrepute and of using the services of an unauthorised agent. Paladini is personally accused of concealing or misrepresenting elements of the Faurlín transfer, leading to a supplementary disrepute charge for him.

QPR have previously let it be known that they considered Faurlín, now 24, to have been out of contract with Instituto at the time of his move and that he was therefore a free transfer. The agent named in the transfer documents is believed to be Peppino Tirri, who held a Fifa licence at the time of the transfer but had not registered with the FA, meaning he did not have its authorisation to conduct transfer business in England. Tirri, who could not be contacted on Monday through the email address or telephone numbers on Fifa's website, is now registered with the FA.

QPR should learn the commission's verdict on Friday and if they are found to be in breach of FA regulations they may be deducted points. The Championship leaders were nine points clear of the playoffs before Monday's fixtures and have one match still to play.

The Football League is believed to be considering the logistical implications for those playoffs and may defer the semi-finals to accommodate the legal process, which would surely include a QPR appeal in the event of a guilty verdict.

The existence of the third-party agreements only came to light when the club asked the Football League for permission to buy out the third-party interest in Faurlín's contract. At the time there was no Football League rule against third-party ownership – it is now aligning its rules with those of the Premier League – and QPR claim they were unaware that the FA's rules did make provision against it.

In the course of its inquiries the FA has been trying to uncover what was paid to whom. Paladini was quoted on Monday as saying: "We will fight all the way. Justice will be done. We have done everything in good faith."

Charges QPR face

1) Entering contracts with third-party organisations enabling them "materially to influence" the club's policies or its team's performance

2) Entering contracts assigning rights to or making payments to a third party in connection with a player transfer

3) Providing the FA with allegedly false information in later contract extension documents

4) Bringing the game into disrepute

5) Using the services of an unauthorised agent

Charges Gianni Paladini faces

1) Bringing the game into disrepute

2) Concealing or misrepresenting the reality and/or substance of matters relating to a transaction or contract negotiation Guardian

Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson

Queens Park Rangers celebrations following promotion to Premier League threatened by more off-field problems

Queens Park Rangers go into Wednesday’s Football Association hearing with a fresh obstacle hanging over them before they return to the Premier League after it emerged that Loftus Road does not meet key ground regulations.

The Premier League is to seek clarification on the size of the dressing rooms, while work must also be done to enlarge both the television gantry and the media facilities.

Having granted Portsmouth special dispensation for problems with their facilities when they were promoted in 2003, the Premier League will insist the work is done at QPR before the start of the new season.

It imposed a similar standard on Blackpool last season.

The Lancashire club had an entire stand built before they staged home Premier League games, and there is a feeling that the initial leniency towards Portsmouth was a mistake.

QPR believe that their changing rooms do meet the standard, although there remains concern at the Premier League that this could be an issue.

Plans are already afoot at QPR to make the necessary changes to the gantry and press room.

Of most immediate concern is the start of today’s three-day hearing into an alleged breach of rules regarding third-party ownership over the signing of Alejandro Faurlín. If found guilty, the potential punishments range from a fine to a points deduction which could alter the final standings at the top of the Championship table.

The issue arose when QPR approached the Football League about buying out Faurlín’s contract. The Football League referred the matter to the FA, who had already introduced regulations which banning third-party ownership in the wake of the Carlos Tévez affair at West Ham United.

Four people will sit on the FA’s independent commission, which will be chaired by a QC and include two people from the FA Council as well as a former professional player or manager.

The decision will be announced on Friday, although any decision could be subject to appeal and potentially a lengthy legal process.

QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is adamant that the club acting properly but the FA has issued charges over an alleged breach of seven regulations. These also include making payments to an unauthorised agent when Faurlín was signed.

QPR confirmed their status as Championship winners — subject to the result of the tribunal — on Saturday and Abel Taarabt has revealed Faurlín’s concern at the controversy.

“The first few days he was a little bit worried because he may have thought the lads would blame him,” said Taarabt. “But we told him it is not your fault. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well.

“We didn’t cheat or do anything wrong. Every game we play 11 against 11 and we win games on the pitch.

“It would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates [if promotion was taken away]. It would be a disaster for every player. If the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion.”

Taarabt joined Spurs at the age of 17 and, after making only nine appearances, is desperate to show his quality in the Premier League.

“I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me,” he said.

“The last time I saw him Harry Redknapp he joked with me, ‘I sold you for £1 million and now you must be worth £8-9 million’.” Telegraph

GUARDIAN/Sachin Nakrani

Adel Taarabt unsure over his Queens Park Rangers future• Moroccan refuses to confirm he will stay at Loftus Road• He can be one of the best in the world, says Warnock

Adel Taarabt has put his future at Queens Park Rangers in doubt by refusing to confirm he will stay at the club despite them having just secured promotion to the Premier League.

"I don't know yet [if I will stay at QPR]," said Taarabt. "I'm very happy with what I've achieved but now we have all summer and after that I will see the manager [Neil Warnock], see what they want to do and then we will take a decision.

"He [Warnock] has been great. My season is a lot to do with him because he has given me 100% belief and trust. Even if I don't pay well for one or two games, he still plays me. He has done a lot for me. In football you have to meet somebody who gives you a chance, for me that person is Neil – nobody else."

The 21-year-old has been an integral part of QPR's success this campiagn, captaining the club to the Championship title – which was secured with a 2-0 win at Watford last Saturday, pending an Football Association hearing into their purchase of Alejandro Faurlín – and scoring 19 goals in the process. The Moroccan, who signed from Tottenham last summer following two loan spells at Loftus Road, was also named the division's player of the season.

Following the victory at Vicarage Road, Warnock admitted his own concerns over Taarabt's future but warned it would be a mistake for the free-spirited midfielder to leave QPR just yet. He said: "Adel's at a very crucial period in his career now because he can't do what he's done with us in the Premier League and progress.

"He's got the ability to be one of the best in the world but he's got to be more dedicated, he's got to listen to me and take it on board. He's got everything in his locker but if he went somewhere now and it was the wrong place we'd probably get him back at Christmas on loan."

Should QPR survive this week's FA hearing and take a place in the top-flight for the first time since 1996, Tarrabt feels confident the club can avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

"I know with this manager they can achieve something," he said. "I don't know what the target is for next season, but right now we just have to enjoy this moment. We have rich owners, which helps, but it is their money and they can do what they want with it." Guardian

MIRROR/Darren Lewis - Taarabt begs FA to show QPR some TLC

Adel Taarabt has pleaded with the FA to go easy on promoted QPR this week - so that he can prove a point to Spurs.

The Moroccan playmaker has hit 19 goals from 43 Rangers appearances this season after being frozen out at White Hart Lane.

But his Premier League dream could be shattered if a four-man FA panel decide this week that Rangers have breach third-party rules over the signing of Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

The panel meet today and deliver their verdict on Friday and Taarabt admitted admitted a guilty verdict would leave the QPR players devastated.

"It would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates," he said.

"We have not cheated. We have played every match with 11 v 11 players on the pitch. We never did anything wrong.

"If there are problems with things upstairs then surely that it is to do with them, not the team.

"It would be a disaster for every player. But what can we do?

"We have done our best. We have won the Championship. If the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion."

QPR chairman Gianni Paladini told manager Neil Warnock and his squad, plus 900 fans attending a Player of the Year ceremony: "We don't have to worry about the FA."

Taarabt admits he is itching to have the last laugh against Spurs, after being denied a squad number at the start of the 2008-09 season.

Harry Redknapp reversed that decision last summer but the midfielder believes he would have been marooned on the bench alongside fringe stars such as Gio Dos Santos had he listened to the Tottenham gaffer.

"I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me," he explained. "I don't have any regrets about leaving them.

"I was in New York when I decided it was time to go so I called Harry and told him 'I want to leave.' He told me to wait until after pre-season and then see how I felt, but I knew there was no point in this. I knew that he would never play me while they were paying £25million for new players.

"So I decided to go through with my decision to leave. I didn't want to be like Dos Santos. I knew it was time to leave for the sake of my career.

"Look at Kevin Prince Boateng. He was also at Spurs with me, but he left and now he is playing for AC Milan.

"I had to go. And reaching the Premier League with QPR proves it was the right decision.

"I have nothing against Harry. The last time I saw him he joked with me: 'I sold you for £1m and now you must be worth £8m-£9m. The chairman will kill me!'

Taarabt intends to defy doubters who believe he will not have the time or space to replicate his brilliant Championship season should QPR's Premier League status be rubber-stamped.

"I think I might get more space in the Premier League," he said. "In the Championship, the ball is sometimes in the air a lot. In the Premier League the teams keep the ball more and play more football.

"I have done it in the Championship with the help of my good team-mates at QPR, why can't I do it in the Premier League?

"Although, the defenders at Arsenal and Manchester United are not like Championship players. I have to change the way I play as well." Mirror

MAIL/Sami Mokbel - 'll prove Spurs were wrong to let me go so cheaply, vows QPR talisman Taarabt- It took the bright lights of Times Square for Adel Taarabt to realise he had to leave Tottenham last summer. And now he wants to show Harry Redknapp and Co exactly what they are missing when he plays against his old club next season.

Taarabt moved across London to QPR after finally losing patience with his lack of first-team action at White Hart Lane. And it has proved an inspired decision by the Morocco midfielder after a string of sensational displays helped Rangers end their 15-year exile from the top flight. His performances have earned rave reviews and helped him win Championship player of the year.

'I have nothing against Harry Redknapp,' insisted the 21-year-old. 'The last time I saw him he joked with me, "I sold you for £1million and now you must be worth £8-9m. The chairman will kill me!" But I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me.'High flyer: Adel Taarabt (right) celebrates promotion with team-mate Alejandro FaurlinAnd it was the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple that helped persuade Taarabt he had to leave Tottenham to become a star. He added: 'I don't have any regrets about leaving them. I was in New York when I decided it was time to go so I called Harry and told him, "I want to leave".'He told me to wait until after pre-season and then see how I felt. But I knew there was no point in this. I knew that he would never play me while they were paying £25m for new players.'I didn't want to be like (Giovani) dos Santos. I knew it was time to leave for the sake of my career. Look at Kevin-Prince Boateng. He was also at Spurs with me, but he left and now he is playing for AC Milan.'

Friday is D-Day for RangersThe FA independent regulatory commission are expected to rule on Friday on the sevencharges brought against QPR relating to the signing of Argentinian Alejandro Faurlin.If the Championship winners are found guilty they could be docked points.Any appeal could delay the playoffs. The first legs are provisionally May 12 and 13 but they could be put back a week.

QPR boss Neil Warnock insists he is ‘not bothered’ about the hearing, with the clubsupposed to be presented with the Championship trophy after their match against Leeds at Loftus Road on Saturday.Taarabt is adamant he can replicate his scintillating displays at the top level next season. Whether that will be at Loftus Road remains to be seen after refusing to guarantee he would be at the club for the start of the next campaign.

But QPR have more immediate issues to address. The west London club could yet be stripped of automatic promotion and the Championship title if found guilty of breaking FA rules over the £3.5m signing of midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in 2009.

QPR have been accused of seven breaches of third-party ownership and agents laws. The hearing begins on Tuesday, where a four-man panel will decide the club's fate. Faurlin has, to his credit, maintained focus in recent weeks to play a lead role in the promotion push.

But Taarabt admitted: 'The first few days, Ali was a little bit worried because he thought the lads would blame him - but we told him it is not his fault. He has been brilliant all season and you can't deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well. If promotion is to be taken away from us by the FA, it would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates. We have not cheated. We have played every match with 11 versus 11 players on the pitch.

'We never did anything wrong. If there are problems with things upstairs then surely that is to do with them, not the team.Fall guy: Taarabt's Spurs career never really took off before a £1m move to Loftus Road'It would be a disaster for every player. But what can we do? We have won the Championship. And even if the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion.'

QPR defender Clint Hill will undergo surgery this week to clear up a long standing ankle injury. Mail

DAILY STAR/Jon West - ADEL TAARABT: WE'VE EARNT IT

QPR captain Adel Taarabt insists it would be a travesty if they were denied a place in the Premier League.

Neil Warnock’s QPR side wrapped up the Championship title by beating Watford on Saturday.

But now they face an FA inquiry into the 2009 signing of Argentine star Alejandro Faurlin.

If QPR are found guilty of having breached third-party ownership rules, then they will be punished, with an announcement due on Friday.

A fi ne will be no problem for the club’s billionaire owners, but a points deduction could throw their season into chaos.

Taarabt said: “We have done the job on the pitch, so we deserve to be where we are.

“We didn’t cheat or do anything wrong. I don’t know what is happening upstairs, but the FA will make the decision and we will see.

“It would be wrong to punish the players. Every game we have played has been 11 against 11. We win games on the pitch, we don’t do anything else.”

Taarabt, 21, revealed that the off-fi eld problems had been particularly traumatic for the man at the centre of the controversy, 24-year-old midfi elder Faurlin.

“The fi rst few days he was a little bit worried because he thought the lads would blame him,” added Taarabt. “But we told him, ‘It is not your fault’.

“He has been brilliant all season and you can’t deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well.”

Worryingly for the Loftus Road faithful, the Moroccan, who cost £1m from Spurs last summer, would not say for sure whether he intends to stay.

He said: “I don’t know yet. But I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved at QPR.”http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/189115/Adel-Taarabt-We-ve-earnt-it/